Comcast promotes top two lobbyists

Comcast announced the promotions of the top two lobbyists in its Washington office, both of whom played a crucial role in securing the government's approval of the NBC Universal acquisition.

Kathy Zachem will become senior vice president for regulatory and state legislative affairs, while Melissa Maxfield's new title will be senior vice president for congressional and federal government affairs. Zachem will continue to lead the cable giant's lobbying efforts before the regulatory agencies, as well as state and local government relations. Maxfield will oversee all congressional lobbying as well as some executive branch agencies such as the White House and Commerce Department. Both will continue to report to Comcast's executive vice president, David Cohen, in Philadelphia, who praised their key roles in gaining approval of Comcast's acquisition of a majority stake in NBC Universal from General Electric earlier this year. Comcast's spending on lobbying more than doubled since 2006, to more than $12 million annually from 2008 through 2010.